Rear end loader

ABSTRACT

A loader is adapted for connection to the regular 3-point rear end hitch of a tractor including two lifting bars pivoted underneath the differential housing and an upper link pivoted above the differential housing. Such loader comprises a tractor attachment including two posts adapted to be pivotally connected to the free ends of the lifting bars and extending upwardly and rearwardly from such free ends to a point substantially above and adjacent to the differential housing, and a third post extending substantially vertically from the lower ends of the first two posts and provided at its upper end with a pivotal connection for the free end of the upper link of the 3-point hitch. Lift arms are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the first two posts and hydraulic cylinders interconnect the lift arms and the first two posts for swinging the lift arms about a first transverse axis passing through the upper ends of the first two posts. A bucket is pivotally connected to the free ends of the lift arms and means are provided for pivoting such bucket about a second transverse axis passing through the free ends of the lift arms.

United States Patent 11 1 Martin REAR END LOADER [76] Inventor: ClaudeR. Martin, RR. 2, Garthby,

Co. Frontenac, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: Dec. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:426,919

Primary Examiner-Robert J. Spar Assistant ExaminerRoss Weaver Attorney,Agent, or FirmRoland L. Morneau [57] ABSTRACT A loader is adapted forconnection to the regular 3- Dec. 3, 1974 point rear end hitch of atractor including two lifting bars pivoted underneath the differentialhousing and an upper link pivoted above the differential housing. Suchloader comprises a tractor attachment including two posts adapted to bepivotally connected to the free ends of the lifting bars and extendingupwardly and rearwardly from such free ends to a point substantiallyabove and adjacent to the differential housing, and a third postextending substantially vertically from the lower ends of the first twoposts and provided at its upper end with a pivotal connection for thefree end of the upper link of the 3-point hitch. Lift arms are pivotallyconnected to the upper ends of the first two posts and hydrauliccylinders interconnect the lift arms and the first two posts forswinging the lift arms about a first transverse axis passing through theupper ends of the first two posts. A bucket is pivotally connected tothe free ends of the lift arms and means are provided for pivoting suchbucket about a second transverse axis passing through the free ends ofthe lift arms.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SHEET 10? 2 PATENTLL 74 PATENTEL BEE 3mmsum 2 or 2 REAR END LOADER This invention relates to a loader adaptedfor connection to the regular 3-point rear end hitch of a tractor whichincludes two lifting bars pivoted underneath the differential housingand an upper link pivoted above the differential housing.

A loader of the above type has been disclosed in Canadian Pat. No.798,710 issued Nov. 12, 1968 to Laurent Fortier. However it has beenexperienced that this loader does not have a sufficient lift height and,furthermore, may not be used to lift heavy loads because it tilts thetractor.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a tractorrear-end loader which has a higher lift and which may be used to liftheavy loads without tilting the tractor.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a loader havinga greater bucket dump angle and roll back angle than the ones presentlyon the market. This is particularly useful] with manure buckets becauseit permits to more easily introduce the forks of the bucket into themanure to pick it up.

The loader in accordance with the invention comprises a tractorattachment including first two posts adapted to be pivotally connectedto the free ends of the lifting bars and extending upwardly andrearwardly from such free ends to a point substantially above andadjacent to the differential housing of the tractor, and a third postextending substantially vertically from the lifting bars 16 pivotedunderneath the differential housing 18 of the tractor and an upper link20 pivotally mounted above the differential housing. The lifting bars 16are operated by conventional power arms (not shown) to which areconnected rods 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Stabilizing bars 26 are alsoassociated with lifting bars 16 and pivotally mounted on the drive shaftof the tractor.

The tractor attachment comprises two bent tubular posts 28interconnected at their lower ends by a transverse tubular member 30. Aplate 32 is welded to each end of the transverse member and a pivot pin34 is secured to such plate. Pivot pins 34 are inserted into the freeends of lifting bars 16 and stabilizing bars 26. The upper ends oftubular posts 28 are interconnected by a transverse angle member 36which, in the present embodiment, is slightly curved so as to give wayto link 20 when the tractor attachment is lowered to its lowestposition. A rectangular post 38 is welded transversely to transversemember 30 and supportedby a pyramidal structure including bars 40 andangle members 42 welded at one end to the upper end of post 38 and attheir other ends to transverse members 30 and 36. Two parallel plates 44are welded edgewise on the post 38, a predetermined distance apart, andholes are provided through such plates for providing apivotal'connection for the free end of link 20.

Two parallel plates 46 are also welded to each upper end of posts 28 andeach set of plates is provided with lower ends of the first two postsand provided at its upper end with a pivotal connection for the free endof the upper link of the 3-point hitch. Lift arms are pivotallyconnected to the upper ends of the first two posts and hydrauliccylinders interconnect the lift arms and the first two posts forswinging the lift arms about a first transverse axis passing through theupper ends of the first two posts. A bucket is pivotally connected tothe free ends of the lift arms and means are provided for pivoting suchbucket about a second transverse axis passing through the free ends ofthe lift arms.

The means for pivoting the bucket includes at least one lever pivotallymounted on the lift arms about a third transverse axis, at least one rodinterconnecting the free end of such lever to the bucket at a pointremote from the second transverse axis, and an hydraulic cylinderinterconnecting the lift arms and the free end of the lever wherebyoperation of the cylinder pivots the bucket. I

The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example, with referenceto a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the loader in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the tractor attachment of theloader, and

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate perspective views of the bucket operatingmechanism of the loader.

Referring to FIG. 1, thereis shown an overall assembly of the tractorattachment designated generally by the reference character 10, the liftarms 12 pivotally mounted on the upper end of the tractor attachment,and a manure bucket 14 pivotally mounted on the end of the lift arms.

As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 2, the tractor attachment is adaptedto be mounted on the conventional 3-point hitch of the tractor whichincludes two aligned holes through which a pivot pin may be inserted forpivotally mounting the lift arms 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The lift armsare operated by two hydraulic jacks, each including a cylinder 48pivotally connected to a plate 50 secured in the bent portion of theposts 28 and a piston 52 connected to a pivotal connection 54 of thelift arms 12 and more particularly near the apex of these lift armswhich have angular shape.

It is to be understood that the cross-sectional shape of the variousposts, cross-members and of the elements of the pyramidal structure mayvary and that the one disclosed and shown in the drawings is by way ofexample only. Similarly, the shape of the attachment may also vary, themost important feature being that the attachment permits to raise thepivotal connection of the lift arms so as to increase the lift height ofthe loader and also to move such pivotal connection as close as possibleto the rear axle of the tractor so as to permit to lift a heavier loadwithout tilting the tractor. It is also to be understood that the posts28 need not be angular in shape as illustrated in the drawings and couldbe curved or even straight in cases where an hydraulic jack of shorterlength can be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 there is shown the mechanism for pivotingthe manure bucket 14 which is mounted on the lift arms 12 constitutedessentially of elbow-shaped beams. Such mechanism includes a lever 56having one end pivotally connected to crossmember 58 of the lift arms12, and a pair of rods 60 pivotally connected at one end to a pivotalconnection 61 located at the other end of the lever 56 and at theirother end to the bucket l4 through another pivotal connection includinga pair of parallel plates 62 welded edgewise to the back plate of thebucket and a pivot pin 63 passing through aligned holes in the plates.The bucket is pivoted by means of a hydraulic jack including a cylinder64 pivotally connected to cross-member 66 of the lift arms 12 and apiston68 pivotally connected to the pivotal connection 61 of lever 56.The rods 60 are connected to the plates 62 at a distance from thepivotal point 70 of the bucket. It will be understood that such distancemay be adjusted so as to provide a dump angle and a roll back angle ofapproximately 80 each. For this purpose, additional hole may be providedthrough plates 62. A dump angle of 80 is particularly advantageous whenloading manure because it permits to more easily put the forks throughit.

It is to be understood that the bucket 14 may be operated by twocylinders one for each rod 60.

The operation of the loader, in accordance with the invention, is asfollows:

The lift arms 12 are lifted or lowered by operating cylinders 48 whichare double action cylinders energized from the regular hydraulic circuitof the tractor. If additional height is required the regular power armsof the tractor are actuated to raise the rods 24 and the attachment 10.The bucket 14 is rotated by energizing cylinder 64 which is a doubleaction cylinder energized from the regular hydraulic circuit of thetractor.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to a preferredembodiment thereof, it is to be understood that various embodiments areenvisaged and that the scope of the invention is to be limited by theclaims only. For example, the shape and cross-section of the variouselements of the attachment may vary as mentioned previously. The shapeand cross-section of the lift arms may also vary and they may beoperated by one or more cylinders depending on the size of loads thatthe loader is adapted to carry. The bucket operating mechanism may alsotake various forms and may be operated by one or more cylinders alsodepending on the load.

What I claim is:

l. A loader adapted for connection to the regular 3- point rear endhitch of a tractor including two lifting bars pivoted underneath thedifferential housing and an upper link pivoted above the differentialhousing, said loader comprising:

a. a tractor attachment including first two posts adapted to bepivotally connected to the free ends of the lifting bars and extendingupwardly and rearsaid first two posts to swing relative thereto about afirst transverse axis;

0. hydraulic cylinder means interconnecting said first two posts andsaid lift arms for swinging said lift arms about said first transverseaxis;

d. a bucket pivotally connected to the free end of said liftarms topivot about asecond transverse axis; and

e. means for pivoting said bucket about said second transverse axis.

2. A loader as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for pivoting saidbucket includes at least one lever pivotally mounted on said lift armsabout a third transverse axis, at least one rod interconnecting the freeend of said lever to said bucket at a point remote from said secondtransverse axis, and an additional hydraulic cylinder interconnectingsaid lift arms and the free end of said lever whereby operation of saidcylinder will pivot the bucket.

3. A loader as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower ends ofsaid first two posts are joined by cross-members and wherein said thirdpost is welded to the center portion of the lower cross-member.

4. A loader as defined in claim 3, further comprising a pyramidalstructure secured at its apex to the upper end of said third post and atits other ends to said crossmembers.

5. A loader as defined in claim 2, wherein said lift arms essentiallycomprise two beams, each beam being pivotally connected to one of saidfirst two posts and of two cross-members interconnecting said beams.

6. A loader as defined in claim 5, wherein said lever is pivotallyconnected to one of said cross-members, and wherein said additionalcylinder is pivotally connected to the other cross-member.

7. A loader as defined in claim 2, wherein said hydraulic cylinders aredouble acting cylinders.

8. A loader as defined in claim 1, wherein the said posts comprises twomain angular portions, a first main portion being substantiallyhorizontal and the other portion being substantially vertical.

9. A loader as defined in claim 5, wherein the said beams have anangular shape, the said hydraulic means being connected at the apex ofsaid beams and said posts.

10. A loader as defined in claim 9, wherein one of said cross-members isadjacent the apex of the beams and the other is located between thelatter and the said second transverse axis, the said lever beingpivotally connected to said one cross-member, and the said additionalhydraulic cylinder being connected to said other cross-member.

1. A loader adapted for connection to the regular 3-point rear end hitchof a tractor including two lifting bars pivoted underneath thedifferential housing and an upper link pivoted above the differentialhousing, said loader comprising: a. a tractor attachment including firsttwo posts adapted to be pivotally connected to the free ends of thelifting bars and extending upwardly and rearwardly from said free endsto a point substantially above and adjacent to the differential housingof the tractor, and a third post extending substantially vertically froma cross bar connected between the lower ends of said first two posts andprovided at its upper end with a pivotal connection for the free end ofthe upper link of the 3-point hitch of the tractor; b. lift armspivotally connected to the upper ends of said first two posts to swingrelative thereto about a first transverse axis; c. hydraulic cylindermeans interconnecting said first two posts and said lift arms forswinging said lift arms about said first transverse axis; d. a bucketpivotally connected to the free end of said lift arms to pivot about asecond transverse axis; and e. means for pivoting said bucket about saidsecond transverse axis.
 2. A loader as defined in claim 1, wherein saidmeans for pivoting said bucket includes at least one lever pivotallymounted on said lift arms about a third transverse axis, at least onerod interconnecting the free end of said lever to said bucket at a pointremote from said second transverse axis, and an additional hydrauliccylinder interconnecting said lift arms and the free end of said leverwhereby operation of said cylinder will pivot the bucket.
 3. A loader asdefined in claim 1, wHerein the upper and lower ends of said first twoposts are joined by cross-members and wherein said third post is weldedto the center portion of the lower cross-member.
 4. A loader as definedin claim 3, further comprising a pyramidal structure secured at its apexto the upper end of said third post and at its other ends to saidcross-members.
 5. A loader as defined in claim 2, wherein said lift armsessentially comprise two beams, each beam being pivotally connected toone of said first two posts and of two cross-members interconnectingsaid beams.
 6. A loader as defined in claim 5, wherein said lever ispivotally connected to one of said cross-members, and wherein saidadditional cylinder is pivotally connected to the other cross-member. 7.A loader as defined in claim 2, wherein said hydraulic cylinders aredouble acting cylinders.
 8. A loader as defined in claim 1, wherein thesaid posts comprises two main angular portions, a first main portionbeing substantially horizontal and the other portion being substantiallyvertical.
 9. A loader as defined in claim 5, wherein the said beams havean angular shape, the said hydraulic means being connected at the apexof said beams and said posts.
 10. A loader as defined in claim 9,wherein one of said cross-members is adjacent the apex of the beams andthe other is located between the latter and the said second transverseaxis, the said lever being pivotally connected to said one cross-member,and the said additional hydraulic cylinder being connected to said othercross-member.